Jagadanand Singh said he lives in two rooms led to lower power bills.
Patna, September 28, 2024: Jagadanand Singh, the state president of RJD, sharply responded to an allegation from ruling BJP and JD(U) leaders regarding his electricity bills being 17% lower, clarifying that he lives in a modest two-room house but only uses one room to reduce costs.
“I don’t have the capacity to pay the power bill for two rooms, hence, I reside in only one room,” Singh said.
While acknowledging that he receives a pension from the state government, Singh expressed discomfort with his ability to pay the bill, emphasizing that his personal situation should not be used to justify the smart meter system.
“Will my comforts become the comforts of Bihar? No, we are people who participate in the sorrow of Bihar, not the people who enjoy facilities,” Singh said
Singh reiterated his criticism of the smart meters, raising doubts about the functioning of the new system. He argued that there is a stark difference between the order meters and the current smart meters installed by the power department.
“No common man in Bihar is supporting the new smart meters and accused the government of using the system as a tool for exploitation,” Singh said.
Jagadanand Singh alleged that the Nitish Kumar government exploited the people through smart meter system for financial gain. Singh also presented a letter dated September 15, in which Nitish Kumar ordered district officials to forcibly install smart meters, prompting public outcry and opposition.
“RJD did not raise this issue initially, but the aggressive implementation and threats made against the public have forced the party to intervene. CM Nitish Kumar is responsible for whatever controversy is there regarding smart meters in Bihar,” he said.
Jagadanand Singh further accused the government of charging higher power rates for the public, with consumers paying Rs 5.85 to Rs 8 per unit, while the government buys power at Rs 5 per unit.
Jagadanand Singh also pointed out that farmers are being ignored, receiving only 8 hours of electricity daily, despite promises of agricultural feeders that have yet to be delivered.
Recalling historical context, Singh mentioned that when Lalu Prasad Yadav was a central minister, the Rajiv Gandhi Vidyut Yojana was launched in 2005, which initiated rural electrification. He criticized JD(U) and BJP for labelling Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as a “dark age” asserting that the electrification project began under Lalu’s leadership.
RJD plans to launch a protest against smart meters starting October 1, with Singh, highlighting widespread public dissatisfaction. He claimed that electricity bills have increased for many since the installation of smart meters, worsening the situation for ordinary citizens in Bihar.
Also Read: Vijay Sinha criticized Tejashwi Yadav on his smart meters stand.
EOM.